Shearer's charity centre hit by rising costs

Former England and Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer says it is "getting more difficult" to cover the costs needed to run his charity centre.

The Alan Shearer Centre in Newcastle was created almost 20 years ago and helps people with complex disabilities and their families.

Despite raising more than £7m in that time, the ex-footballer said it needed to raise an additional £70,000 a year to keep the centre free to use.

Shearer told BBC Breakfast he believed it was "really, really important" the services people use there remained free.

The centre, in West Denton, provides facilities and support for families across the north-east of England with various sensory rooms, playrooms, gardens and a pool.

Set up with money from Shearer's testimonial year in 2006, it now has more than 5,000 members.

Shearer said running the centre beat "the feeling of scoring goals" because "we're giving back something that means so much to so many different people".

"The people that use it and the enjoyment and the happiness that it brings them, I think that's far, far more important than me or someone else scoring a goal."

He originally pledged to raise £250,000 a year to keep the centre going, but now said it must reach £320,000 and it was "getting more difficult" to raise funds.

"As we know, cost of living is sky-high now with electricity, gas and water to heat the swimming pool and keep the cafe going," Shearer said.

"We give it away for free, which I think is really, really important."

Natalie Robinson said the Alan Shearer Centre had helped her daughter Margot's physical and cognitive development "come on huge amounts".

"It's just been amazing, we come every week," she said.

"It is just a fab place to come and feel safe. I feel like I can just take a step back and she can just explore."

Shearer, who was honoured with a CBE in 2016 for his charity work, said he had to keep leaning on people in his contacts to raise the money.

"It's difficult, I have to keep relying on people," he said.

"I've got a phone book that's got a lot of contacts in there and I have to keep leaning on a lot of people.

"Yes, my name might be above it, but there's a great team that help run it.

"It's a unique place, it's very different."

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